!!! Stargazing from Big Bend National park!!!

I am planning for a vacation during the month of December to January at
Big Bend National park.
Does anybody have knowledge that want to share , about stargazing from Big Bend?
During Dec. to Jan.?
How is the weather?
What to expect?
Where is the best site etc.?
Tips?

`Thanks
Esdras

[COLOR="Purple"]Hi Esdras!
Big Bend (BB) is a great place for star gazing! I go out once or twice a year to do 4-5 days of observing. I usually go in April and/or October. In December-January it will definitely be cold in the park. You might even have snow...but probably not! Bring WARM clothes.

If you are camping, one of the back country camp sites would be the best place to be...no lights at all. In the back country sites, there is no water or electricity so have everything you need to stay where there are no facilities.

I like to stay up in the Basin...more lights (still not too bad) but you are at least near some facilities. Site 41 in the Basin is the one I like.
Here's a pic of my scopes at site 41 last April. That's Casa Grande in the background.

Good luck on the trip! Let us know how it goes.
Bill[/COLOR]

Attached Image:

Hi Esdras.
I spent a couple nights observing in Big Bend last August ('05), and the sky was just incredible. We went out on Grapevine Hills Road, a dirt road heading north from the central road through the park. I think there are lots of other options. Some of the darkest sky I ever seen!
Linton

Hello,

You may want to visit the McDonald Observatory at Fort Davis as well. We were fortunate enough to get reservations to view through the 82" Telescope this past April as part of a visit.

The skies there are also pristine!

Pete